Gospel Centered Transformation
Published: Wed, 05/28/25
Updated: Wed, 05/28/25
Sessions Include:How People Change, Lesson #1 How People Change, Lesson #2 How People Change, Lesson #3 How People Change, Lesson #4 How People Change, Lesson #5 How People Change, Lesson #6 How People Change, Lesson #7 How People Change, Lesson #8 How People Change, Lesson #9 How People Change, Lesson #10 How People Change, Lesson #11 How People Change, Lesson #12 How People Change, Lesson #13 How People Change, Lesson #14 How People Change, Lesson #15 How People Change, Lesson #16 Why Study Books?My church recently transitioned to using books as curriculum in our Sunday School. The reason is simple. My life has been profoundly influenced by the reading of books. I don’t think my life has ever been changed by any curriculum piece I have ever read. Ever. I have actually surveyed a number of groups I have taught over the years, asking: Has your life ever been changed by any curriculum? The most common response is for people to laugh out loud. Our first study was the Bless book by Dave and Jon Ferguson. It is a great study on relational lifestyle evangelism. About half-way through the the study, we did a survey to help determine what we would study next. No one wanted to go back to the curriculum. Not. One. Person. The #1 choice for what to study next was a tie:
We will be studying these two books over the next year and a half or so. Here is what Amazon says about Ortberg’s book: The Me I Want to Be will help you discover spiritual vitality like never before as you learn to "live in the flow of the spirit." Why does spiritual growth seem so difficult? God's vision for your life is not just that you are saved by grace, but that you also learn to live by grace, flourishing with the Spirit flowing through you. And this book will show how God's perfect vision for you starts with a powerful promise: All those who trust in God "will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit" (Jeremiah 17:7-8). Pastor and best-selling author John Ortberg first helps gauge your spiritual health and measure the gap between where you are now and where God intends you to be. Then he provides detailed tasks and exercises to help you live in the flow of the Spirit, circumventing real-world barriers - pain and sorrow, temptations, self-doubt, sin - to flourish even in a dark and broken world. As you start living in the flow, you will feel:
God invites you to join him in crafting an abundant and joy-filled life. The Me I Want to Be shows you how to graciously accept his invitation. I have just completed a new, 22-week study of John Ortberg’s book, The Me I Want to Be that we will be using in my church. (I had previously done a 7-week study.) I have always thought that using books as a curriculum would be a good idea, and I have written a lot of book studies over the years. One of the things that actually using books as curriculum caused me to realize has to do with cost. By writing a study on every chapter of this book, instead of my previous study that had a lesson for every section, the cost drops to below what we were paying for curriculum. Better curriculum. Cheaper cost. Win. Win.
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In How People Change, Paul David Tripp and Timothy S. Lane unveil a vision of change that’s deeply rooted in the gospel. It’s not about behavior modification or quick-fix strategies—it’s about heart-level transformation that only comes through the power of Christ. At its core, gospel-centered change begins when we stop relying on ourselves and start understanding how the truths of the gospel intersect with the messiness of everyday life. Tripp and Lane remind us that real change isn’t just about addressing surface problems; it’s about uncovering the desires, fears, and idols that shape our hearts. The gospel doesn’t merely save us from sin; it gives us the framework to grow and thrive as we face life’s challenges. By connecting theological truths—like our identity in Christ, God’s sovereignty, and the work of the Holy Spirit—with practical struggles, this book shows how the gospel transforms everything from our relationships to our thought patterns. Through relatable examples, biblical teaching, and actionable insights, How People Change equips readers to live out the gospel in tangible ways. It’s a guide for anyone tired of superficial solutions and ready to experience deep, lasting transformation. Whether for personal growth or as a resource for discipling others, this book demonstrates that gospel-centered change is not only possible—it’s the very purpose of God’s work in our lives. If you long to see real change, How People Change offers a clear path forward, rooted in the power of the gospel to transform us from the inside out. If you would like to explore this new study, it is available on Amazon, as well as part of Good Questions Have Groups Talking |
